U.S. patent number 11,445,824 [Application Number 17/116,377] was granted by the patent office on 2022-09-20 for slide rail assembly and slide rail kit thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to King Slide Technology Co., Ltd., King Slide Works Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ken-Ching Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang, Shun-Ho Yang, Kai-Wen Yu.
United States Patent |
11,445,824 |
Chen , et al. |
September 20, 2022 |
Slide rail assembly and slide rail kit thereof
Abstract
A slide rail assembly has a slide rail kit that includes a slide
rail, a component, and an operation member. The slide rail includes
a longitudinal wall. The component is movably disposed on the slide
rail. The operation member can be used to operate the component and
includes a driving portion with a first section and a second
section connected to the first section. The first section and the
second section have a first transverse height and a second
transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of the
slide rail respectively. The second transverse height is greater
than the first transverse height. The first section and the
longitudinal wall support each other to keep the second section at
the second transverse height.
Inventors: |
Chen; Ken-Ching (Kaohsiung,
TW), Yang; Shun-Ho (Kaohsiung, TW), Yu;
Kai-Wen (Kaohsiung, TW), Wang; Chun-Chiang
(Kaohsiung, TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.
KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung |
N/A
N/A |
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
(Kaohsiung, TW)
King Slide Technology Co., Ltd. (Kaohsiung,
TW)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006570533 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/116,377 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20220061528 A1 |
Mar 3, 2022 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 1, 2020 [TW] |
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109130318 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
88/49 (20170101); A47B 88/443 (20170101); A47B
2210/0016 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
88/443 (20170101); A47B 88/49 (20170101) |
Field of
Search: |
;312/333,334.47 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3307037 |
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Apr 2018 |
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EP |
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3138146 |
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Nov 2007 |
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JP |
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201036574 |
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Oct 2010 |
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TW |
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Other References
European Patent Office Official Action dated Aug. 25, 2021 for
corresponding EP Application No. 20 21 4545. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hansen; James O
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slide rail assembly, comprising: a first rail; a second rail
longitudinally displaceable with respect to the first rail, wherein
the second rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a
longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second
wall of the second rail; a first component movably disposed on the
second rail; a first operation member movably disposed on the
second rail, wherein the first operation member is configured to be
operated in order to drive the first component, the first operation
member includes a first driving portion, and the first driving
portion has a first section and a second section connected to the
first section; wherein the first section of the first driving
portion has a first transverse height with respect to the
longitudinal wall of the second rail, the second section has a
second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, and the second transverse height is greater than
the first transverse height; wherein the first section of the first
driving portion and the longitudinal wall of the second rail
support each other to maintain the second section of the first
driving portion at the second transverse height, wherein when the
first operation member is operated, the second section of the first
driving portion is brought into contact with a first corresponding
portion of the first component in order for the first operation
member to drive the first component; and, a second component and a
second operation member, both movably disposed on the second rail,
wherein the second operation member is configured to be operated in
order to drive the second component, the second operation member
includes a second driving portion, the second driving portion has a
first predetermined section and a second predetermined section
connected to the first predetermined section, the first
predetermined section of the second driving portion has another
first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, the second predetermined section has another
second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, the another second transverse height is greater
than the another first transverse height, the first predetermined
section of the second driving portion and the longitudinal wall of
the second rail support each other to maintain the second
predetermined section of the second driving portion at the another
second transverse height, and when the second operation member is
operated, the second predetermined section of the second driving
portion is brought into contact with a second corresponding portion
of the second component in order for the second operation member to
drive the second component.
2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first rail
includes a blocking portion, both the first component and the
second component are able to be in one of a first state and a
second state, and when the second rail is at an extended position
with respect to the first rail and both the first component and the
second component are in the first state, the first component and
the second component are respectively adjacent to two ends of the
blocking portion to prevent the second rail from moving away from
the extended position.
3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2, further comprising an
elastic member disposed on the second rail, wherein the elastic
member is configured to apply an elastic force to the first
component and the second component and thereby keep the first
component and the second component in the first state.
4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein the first component
is configured to be moved and thereby brought from the first state
into the second state when the first operation member is operated,
thus allowing the second rail to be displaced from the extended
position in a first direction, and the second component is
configured to be moved and thereby brought from the first state
into the second state when the second operation member is operated,
thus allowing the second rail to be displaced from the extended
position in a second direction, which is the opposite direction of
the first direction.
5. The slide rail assembly of claim 2, wherein the blocking portion
is adjacent to a front end of the first rail.
6. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third
rail, wherein the first rail is movably mounted between the third
rail and the second rail.
7. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first component
and the second component are pivotally connected to the second rail
via a first shaft and a second shaft respectively.
8. A slide rail assembly, comprising: a first rail; a second rail
longitudinally displaceable with respect to the first rail, wherein
the second rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a
longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second
wall of the second rail; a first component movably disposed on the
second rail; a first operation member configured to be operated in
order to drive the first component, wherein the first operation
member includes a first driving portion, and the first driving
portion has a first section and a second section connected to the
first section; wherein the first section of the first driving
portion has a first transverse height with respect to the
longitudinal wall of the second rail, the second section has a
second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, and the second transverse height is greater than
the first transverse height; wherein when the first operation
member is operated, a first guiding feature of the second section
of the first driving portion is brought into contact with a first
corresponding portion of the first component in order for the first
operation member to drive the first component; and, a second
component and a second operation member, both movably disposed on
the second rail, wherein the second operation member is configured
to be operated in order to drive the second component; the second
operation member includes a second driving portion; the second
driving portion has a first predetermined section and a second
predetermined section connected to the first predetermined section;
the first predetermined section of the second driving portion has
another first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, the second predetermined section has
another second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, and the another second transverse height
is greater than the another first transverse height; when the
second operation member is operated, a second guiding feature of
the second predetermined section of the second driving portion is
brought into contact with a second corresponding portion of the
second component in order for the second operation member to drive
the second component.
9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein the first rail
includes a blocking portion, both the first component and the
second component are able to be in one of a first state and a
second state, and when the second rail is at an extended position
with respect to the first rail and both the first component and the
second component are in the first state, the first component and
the second component are respectively adjacent to two ends of the
blocking portion to prevent the second rail from moving away from
the extended position.
10. The slide rail assembly of claim 9, further comprising an
elastic member disposed on the second rail, wherein the elastic
member is configured to apply an elastic force to the first
component and the second component and thereby keep the first
component and the second component in the first state.
11. The slide rail assembly of claim 10, wherein the first
component is configured to be moved and thereby brought from the
first state into the second state when the first operation member
is operated, thus allowing the second rail to be displaced from the
extended position in a first direction.
12. The slide rail assembly of claim 11, wherein the second
component is configured to be moved and thereby brought from the
first state into the second state when the second operation member
is operated, thus allowing the second rail to be displaced from the
extended position in a second direction, which is the opposite
direction of the first direction.
13. The slide rail assembly of claim 9, wherein the blocking
portion is adjacent to a front end of the first rail.
14. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, further comprising a third
rail, wherein the first rail is movably mounted between the third
rail and the second rail.
15. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein the first component
and the second component are pivotally connected to the second rail
via a first shaft and a second shaft respectively.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slide rail and more particularly
to a slide rail assembly that is reliable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a conventional slide rail 100 has a
longitudinal length. The slide rail 100 is provided thereon with a
first blocking member 102, a second blocking member 104, a first
operation member 106, and a second operation member 108. The first
blocking member 102 and the second blocking member 104 are
pivotally connected to the slide rail 100 via a first shaft A1 and
a second shaft A2 respectively so that when the slide rail 100 is
at a predetermined position (e.g., an extended position) with
respect to another slide rail 101 (see FIG. 2), the second blocking
member 104 and the first blocking member 102 are respectively
blocked by the front end and the rear end of a blocking portion B
of the slide rail 101 to prevent the slide rail 100 from being
displaced from the predetermined position in an opening direction
as well as in a retracting direction.
The first operation member 106 and the second operation member 108
can be used to drive the first blocking member 102 and the second
blocking member 104 respectively so that the two blocking members
are no longer blocked by the blocking portion B of the slide rail
101. The structural configurations that enable the first operation
member 106 to drive the first blocking member 102 are substantially
the same as those enabling the second operation member 108 to drive
the second blocking member 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the first
operation member 106 includes a driving portion 110 that has a
uniform, or single, height T. Therefore, should one of the driving
portion 110 of the first operation member 106 and a corresponding
portion 112 of the first blocking member 102 be deformed or shifted
in place with respect to the other due to an external force or
unexpected factor, producing an excessively large or unexpected
difference in position between them in the transverse direction
(e.g., the driving portion 110 of the first operation member 106 is
deformed or shifted in place, or the first blocking member 102 is
shifted in a predetermined transverse direction K), the depth of
contact (e.g., the transverse depth of contact) between the driving
portion 110 of the first operation member 106 and the corresponding
portion 112 of the first blocking member 102 upon their engagement
may be reduced, thus hindering the first operation member 106 from
driving the first blocking member 102, or the driving portion 110
of the first operation member 106 and the corresponding portion 112
of the first blocking member 102 may be transversely offset from
each other to such an extent that the first operation member 106
cannot drive the first blocking member 102 at all, resulting in a
driving failure.
As user needs vary, it is worthwhile to develop a different slide
rail product that features reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reliable slide rail assembly and
a slide rail kit thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail
assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first component,
and a first operation member. The second rail can be longitudinally
displaced with respect to the first rail and includes a first wall,
a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first
wall and the second wall of the second rail. The first component is
movably provided at the second rail. The first operation member is
movably provided at the second rail and is configured to be
operated in order to drive the first component. The first operation
member includes a first driving portion, and the first driving
portion has a first section and a second section connected to the
first section. The first section of the first driving portion has a
first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, and the second section has a second transverse
height with respect to the longitudinal wall of the second rail,
wherein the second transverse height is greater than the first
transverse height. The first section of the first driving portion
and the longitudinal wall of the second rail support each other to
keep the second section of the first driving portion at the second
transverse height. When the first operation member is operated, the
second section of the first driving portion is brought into contact
with a first corresponding portion of the first component in order
for the first operation member to drive the first component.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a second
component and a second operation member, both movably provided at
the second rail. The second operation member is configured to be
operated in order to drive the second component. The second
operation member includes a second driving portion, and the second
driving portion has a first predetermined section and a second
predetermined section connected to the first predetermined section.
The first predetermined section of the second driving portion has
another first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, and the second predetermined section has
another second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, wherein the another second transverse
height is greater than the another first transverse height. The
first predetermined section of the second driving portion and the
longitudinal wall of the second rail support each other to keep the
second predetermined section of the second driving portion at the
another second transverse height. When the second operation member
is operated, the second predetermined section of the second driving
portion is brought into contact with a second corresponding portion
of the second component in order for the second operation member to
drive the second component.
Preferably, the first rail includes a blocking portion, and both
the first component and the second component can be in one of a
first state and a second state. When the second rail is at an
extended position with respect to the first rail and both the first
component and the second component are in the first state, the
first component and the second component are respectively adjacent
to two ends of the blocking portion to prevent the second rail from
moving away from the extended position.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic
member provided at the second rail. The elastic member is
configured to apply an elastic force to the first component and the
second component and thereby keep the first component and the
second component in the first state.
Preferably, the first component is configured to be moved and
thereby brought from the first state into the second state when the
first operation member is operated, thus allowing the second rail
to be displaced from the extended position in a first
direction.
Preferably, the second component is configured to be moved and
thereby brought from the first state into the second state when the
second operation member is operated, thus allowing the second rail
to be displaced from the extended position in a second direction,
which is the opposite direction of the first direction.
Preferably, the blocking portion is adjacent to a front end of the
first rail.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a third rail,
and the first rail is movably mounted between the third rail and
the second rail.
Preferably, the first component is pivotally connected to the
second rail via a first shaft, and the second component via a
second shaft.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail
assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first component,
and a first operation member. The second rail can be longitudinally
displaced with respect to the first rail and includes a first wall,
a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first
wall and the second wall of the second rail. The first component is
movably provided at the second rail. The first operation member is
configured to be operated in order to drive the first component.
The first operation member includes a first driving portion, and
the first driving portion has a first section and a second section
connected to the first section. The first section of the first
driving portion has a first transverse height with respect to the
longitudinal wall of the second rail, and the second section has a
second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal wall of
the second rail, wherein the second transverse height is greater
than the first transverse height. When the first operation member
is operated, a first guiding feature of the second section of the
first driving portion is brought into contact with a first
corresponding portion of the first component in order for the first
operation member to drive the first component.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a second
component and a second operation member, both movably provided at
the second rail. The second operation member is configured to be
operated in order to drive the second component. The second
operation member includes a second driving portion, and the second
driving portion has a first predetermined section and a second
predetermined section connected to the first predetermined section.
The first predetermined section of the second driving portion has
another first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, and the second predetermined section has
another second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the second rail, wherein the another second transverse
height is greater than the another first transverse height. When
the second operation member is operated, a second guiding feature
of the second predetermined section of the second driving portion
is brought into contact with a second corresponding portion of the
second component in order for the second operation member to drive
the second component.
Preferably, the first rail includes a blocking portion, and both
the first component and the second component can be in one of a
first state and a second state. When the second rail is at an
extended position with respect to the first rail and both the first
component and the second component are in the first state, the
first component and the second component are respectively adjacent
to two ends of the blocking portion to prevent the second rail from
moving away from the extended position.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic
member provided at the second rail. The elastic member is
configured to apply an elastic force to the first component and the
second component and thereby keep the first component and the
second component in the first state.
Preferably, the first component is configured to be moved and
thereby brought from the first state into the second state when the
first operation member is operated, thus allowing the second rail
to be displaced from the extended position in a first
direction.
Preferably, the second component is configured to be moved and
thereby brought from the first state into the second state when the
second operation member is operated, thus allowing the second rail
to be displaced from the extended position in a second direction,
which is the opposite direction of the first direction.
Preferably, the blocking portion is adjacent to a front end of the
first rail.
Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a third rail,
and the first rail is movably mounted between the third rail and
the second rail.
Preferably, the first component is pivotally connected to the
second rail via a first shaft, and the second component via a
second shaft.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a slide
rail kit includes a slide rail, a first component, a second
component, a first operation member, and a second operation member.
The slide rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a
longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second
wall of the slide rail. The first component and the second
component are movably provided at the slide rail. The first
operation member and the second operation member are configured to
be operated in order to drive the first component and the second
component respectively. The first operation member includes a first
driving portion, and the first driving portion has a first section
and a second section connected to the first section. The first
section of the first driving portion has a first transverse height
with respect to the longitudinal wall of the slide rail, and the
second section has a second transverse height with respect to the
longitudinal wall of the slide rail, wherein the second transverse
height is greater than the first transverse height. The first
section of the first driving portion and the longitudinal wall of
the slide rail support each other to keep the second section of the
first driving portion at the second transverse height. The second
operation member includes a second driving portion, and the second
driving portion has a first predetermined section and a second
predetermined section connected to the first predetermined section.
The first predetermined section of the second driving portion has
another first transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the slide rail, and the second predetermined section has
another second transverse height with respect to the longitudinal
wall of the slide rail, wherein the another second transverse
height is greater than the another first transverse height. The
first predetermined section of the second driving portion and the
longitudinal wall of the slide rail support each other to keep the
second predetermined section of the second driving portion at the
another second transverse height.
Preferably, when the first operation member is operated, a first
guiding feature of the second section of the first driving portion
is brought into contact with a first corresponding portion of the
first component in order for the first operation member to drive
the first component, and when the second operation member is
operated, a second guiding feature of the second predetermined
section of the second driving portion is brought into contact with
a second corresponding portion of the second component in order for
the second operation member to drive the second component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional slide rail;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a conventional slide rail
assembly;
FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the slide rail assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a
third rail;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail assembly
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second rail and the
two components on the second rail of the slide rail assembly
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the second rail of the slide rail
assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the circled area VII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structures between the first
rail and the second rail of the slide rail assembly according to
the embodiment of the present invention, in particular one of the
two components and a driving portion of the corresponding operation
member;
FIG. 8a is another schematic view showing the structures between
the first rail and the second rail of the slide rail assembly
according to the embodiment of the present invention, in particular
one of the two components and a driving portion of the
corresponding operation member;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the circled area IX in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing that the second rail and the
first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment
of the present invention are kept at a certain position with
respect to each other by means of the two components being in a
first state;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the
slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present
invention is displaceable in a first direction as one of the two
components is in a second state;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing that the second rail and the
first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment
of the present invention are kept at a certain position with
respect to each other by means of the two components being in the
first state; and
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the second rail of the slide
rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention
is displaceable in a second direction as a different one of the two
components is in the second state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the slide rail assembly 20
according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a
first rail 22, a second rail 24, a first component 26, and a first
operation member 28. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further
includes a third rail 30, and the first rail 22 is movably mounted
between the third rail 30 and the second rail 24 such that the
third rail 30 (e.g., an outer rail), the first rail 22 (e.g., an
intermediate rail), and the second rail 24 (e.g., an inner rail)
jointly constitute a three-section slide rail assembly 20. The
first rail 22, the second rail 24, and the third rail 30 can be
longitudinally displaced with respect to one another. It is worth
mentioning that in this embodiment the X-axis direction is defined
as the longitudinal direction (or the length direction or
displacement direction of the slide rails), the Y-axis direction as
the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide
rails), and the Z-axis direction as the vertical direction (or the
height direction of the slide rails).
The first rail 22 includes a first wall 32a, a second wall 32b, and
a longitudinal wall 34 connected between the first wall 32a and the
second wall 32b of the first rail 22. The first wall 32a, the
second wall 32b, and the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22
jointly define a channel for receiving the second rail 24.
Preferably, the first rail 22 is provided with a blocking portion
36 adjacent to a front end f1 of the first rail 22. The blocking
portion 36 may be connected to the longitudinal wall 34 of the
first rail 22 via a connecting portion 37 or may in an alternative
embodiment be formed directly on the longitudinal wall 34 of the
first rail 22; the present invention has no limitation in this
regard.
Preferably, the blocking portion 36 is a projection that protrudes
transversely with respect to the longitudinal wall 34 of the first
rail 22.
The second rail 24 can be longitudinally displaced with respect to
the first rail 22. The second rail 24 includes a first wall 38a, a
second wall 38b, and a longitudinal wall 40 connected between the
first wall 38a and the second wall 38b of the second rail 24.
Moreover, the second rail 24 has a front end f2 and a rear end
r2.
The first component 26 and the first operation member 28 are
movably provided at the second rail 24. Preferably, the slide rail
assembly 20 further includes a second component 42 and a second
operation member 44, both movably provided at the second rail 24
too. The first component 26, the first operation member 28, the
second component 42, and the second operation member 44 constitute
a slide rail kit.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first component 26 and the
second component 42 are pivotally connected to the longitudinal
wall 40 of the second rail 24 via a first shaft 46 and a second
shaft 48 respectively. The first operation member 28 is configured
to be operated in order to drive the first component 26, and the
first operation member 28 includes a first driving portion 50.
Preferably, the first operation member 28 further includes a first
operating portion 52 and a longitudinal extension portion 54
connected between the first driving portion 50 and the first
operating portion 52, and the first driving portion 50 is adjacent
to the first component 26 and is configured to drive the first
component 26. Similarly, the second operation member 44 is
configured to be operated in order to drive the second component
42, and the second operation member 44 includes a second driving
portion 56. Preferably, the second operation member 44 further
includes a second operating portion 58 and a longitudinal extension
portion 60 connected between the second driving portion 56 and the
second operating portion 58, and the second driving portion 56 is
adjacent to the second component 42 and is configured to drive the
second component 42. In addition, the first driving portion 50 has
a first section 62 and a second section 64 connected to the first
section 62 (see FIG. 5) Similarly, the second driving portion 56
has a first predetermined section 66 and a second predetermined
section 68 connected to the first predetermined section 66 (see
FIG. 5).
Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic
member 70 provided at the second rail 24, and the elastic member 70
is configured to apply an elastic force to the first component 26
and the second component 42. For example, the elastic member 70 has
a first elastic portion 72 for applying an elastic force to the
first component 26 and a second elastic portion 74 for applying an
elastic force to the second component 42.
Preferably, the second rail 24 is further provided with at least
one first retaining portion 76 for supporting the first operation
member 28 and at least one second retaining portion 78 for
supporting the second operation member 44.
As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the first operation member
28 has two opposite sides defined respectively as a first side L1
and a second side L2. The first section 62 of the first driving
portion 50 of the first operation member 28 has a first transverse
height H1 with respect to the longitudinal wall 40 of the second
rail 24, and the second section 64 has a second transverse height
H2 with respect to the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24,
wherein the second transverse height H2 is greater than the first
transverse height H1 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). When the first
operation member 28 is operated to work with the first component
26, the second section 64 of the first driving portion 50, or more
particularly the second transverse height H2 of the second section
64, helps increase the depth d of contact (e.g., the transverse
depth of contact) between the first driving portion 50 and a first
corresponding portion 80 of the first component 26. Preferably, the
second section 64 contacts the first corresponding portion 80 of
the first component 26 through a first guiding feature 77, and the
first guiding feature 77 is, for example but not limited to, an
inclined surface or a curved surface. Moreover, with the first side
L1 of the first section 62 of the first driving portion 50
supporting and supported by the surface of the longitudinal wall 40
of the second rail 24 (i.e., with the two surfaces supporting each
other), and with the first section 62 connected to (or being
adjacent to) the second section 64, the reliability with which the
second section 64 is kept at the second transverse height H2 is
enhanced. In other words, the foregoing configuration helps
maintain the depth d of contact between the second section 64 and
the first corresponding portion 80 of the first component 26,
thereby ensuring that the second section 64 of the first operation
member 28 and the first corresponding portion 80 of the first
component 26 can work with each other (see FIG. 8). It is thus
ensured that when the first driving portion 50 of the first
operation member 28 and the first corresponding portion 80 of the
first component 26 are engaged to work with each other, the contact
between them will not be reduced, and that the reliability of the
interaction between the first operation member 28 and the first
component 26 is therefore increased. Referring to FIG. 8a, in
addition to having the first side L1 of the first section 62 of the
first driving portion 50 support and be supported by the surface of
the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24 (i.e., having the
two surfaces support each other), the first side L1 of the second
section 64 of the first driving portion 50 may be configured to
support and be supported by the surface of the longitudinal wall 40
of the second rail 24 (i.e., to make these two surfaces support
each other) as well, with a pad 65 joined to the second section 64
by soldering or by locking with a screw/rivet so that the second
section 64 has the second transverse height H2. This alternative
configuration provides even better support between the first
driving portion 50 and the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail
24.
Similarly, referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the second operation
member 44 has two opposite sides defined respectively as a first
side L1' and a second side L2'. The first predetermined section 66
of the second driving portion 56 of the second operation member 44
has a first transverse height H1' with respect to the longitudinal
wall 40 of the second rail 24, and the second predetermined section
68 has a second transverse height H2' with respect to the
longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24, wherein the second
transverse height H2' is greater than the first transverse height
H1' (see FIG. 9). When the second operation member 44 is operated
to work with the second component 42, the second predetermined
section 68 of the second driving portion 56, or more particularly
the second transverse height H2' of the second predetermined
section 68, helps increase the depth of contact (e.g., the
transverse depth of contact) between the second driving portion 56
and a second corresponding portion 82 of the second component 42.
Preferably, the second predetermined section 68 contacts the second
corresponding portion 82 of the second component 42 through a
second guiding feature 79, and the second guiding feature 79 is,
for example but not limited to, an inclined surface or a curved
surface. Moreover, with the first side L1' of the first
predetermined section 66 of the second driving portion 56
supporting and supported by the surface of the longitudinal wall 40
of the second rail 24 (i.e., with the two surfaces supporting each
other), and with the first predetermined section 66 connected to
(or being adjacent to) the second predetermined section 68, the
reliability with which the second predetermined section 68 is kept
at the second transverse height H2' is enhanced. In other words,
the foregoing configuration helps maintain the depth of contact
between the second predetermined section 68 and the second
corresponding portion 82 of the second component 42, thereby
ensuring that the second predetermined section 68 of the second
operation member 44 and the second corresponding portion 82 of the
second component 42 can work with each other (see FIG. 9). It is
thus ensured that when the second driving portion 56 of the second
operation member 44 and the second corresponding portion 82 of the
second component 42 are engaged to work with each other, the
contact between them will not be reduced, and that the reliability
of the interaction between the second operation member 44 and the
second component 42 is therefore increased.
Referring to FIG. 10, both the first component 26 and the second
component 42 can be in a first state S1. More specifically, the
first elastic portion 72 of the elastic member 70 applies an
elastic force to the first component 26 to keep the first component
26 in the first state S1, and the first component 26 abuts against
the first wall 38a of the second rail 24 when in the first state S1
Similarly, the second elastic portion 74 of the elastic member 70
applies an elastic force to the second component 42 to keep the
second component 42 in the first state S1, and the second component
42 abuts against the first wall 38a of the second rail 24 when in
the first state S1.
When the second rail 24 is at an extended position P with respect
to the first rail 22, the front end f2 of the second rail 24
extends a certain distance beyond the front end f1 of the first
rail 22. With the first component 26 and the second component 42
both in the first state S1 and respectively adjacent to two ends
(e.g., the rear end and the front end) of the blocking portion 36,
the second rail 24 is kept from moving away from the extended
position P in a second direction D2 as well as in a first direction
D1, wherein the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are
opposite directions.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the first operation member
28 is operated (e.g., when a user applies a first force F1 to the
first operating portion 52 of the first operation member 28), the
first operation member 28 is displaced. Once the first guiding
feature 77 of the second section 64 of the first driving portion 50
is brought into contact with the first corresponding portion 80 of
the first component 26 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), the first operation
member 28 can be used to drive the first component 26 into motion
(e.g., pivotal movement) and thereby bring the first component 26
from the first state S1 (see FIG. 10) into a second state S2 (see
FIG. 11). The first component 26 in the second state S2 does not
abut against the first wall 38a of the second rail 24, so the
second rail 24 is allowed to be displaced from the extended
position P in the first direction D1 in order to be detached from
the channel of the first rail 22. It is worth mentioning that the
first elastic portion 72 of the elastic member 70 is accumulating a
first elastic force when the first component 26 is in the second
state S2. Once the user stops applying the first force F1, the
first component 26 returns from the second state S2 to the first
state S1 in response to the first elastic portion 72 releasing the
first elastic force.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, when the second operation member
44 is operated (e.g., when the user applies a second force F2 to
the second operating portion 58 of the second operation member 44),
the second operation member 44 is displaced. Once the second
guiding feature 79 of the second predetermined section 68 of the
second driving portion 56 is brought into contact with the second
corresponding portion 82 of the second component 42 (see FIG. 9),
the second operation member 44 can be used to drive the second
component 42 into motion (e.g., pivotal movement) and thereby bring
the second component 42 from the first state S1 (see FIG. 12) into
the second state S2 (see FIG. 13). The second component 42 in the
second state S2 does not abut against the first wall 38a of the
second rail 24, so the second rail 24 is allowed to be displaced
from the extended position P to a retracted position in the second
direction D2. It is worth mentioning that the second elastic
portion 74 of the elastic member 70 is accumulating a second
elastic force when the second component 42 is in the second state
S2. Once the user stops applying the second force F2, the second
component 42 returns from the second state S2 to the first state S1
in response to the second elastic portion 74 releasing the second
elastic force.
According to the above, the foregoing embodiment is characterized
in that the contact between the first driving portion 50 of the
first operation member 28 and the first corresponding portion 80 of
the first component 26 will not be compromised by an external force
or unexpected factor, and that the reliability of the interaction
between the first operation member 28 and the first component 26 is
therefore enhanced. The same technical principle and its technical
effects apply to the second driving portion 56 (including the first
predetermined section 66 and the second predetermined section 68)
of the second operation member 44 and the second corresponding
portion 82 of the second component 42.
While the present invention has been disclosed through the
preferred embodiment described above, it should be understood that
the embodiment is not intended to be restrictive of the scope of
the invention. The scope of the patent protection sought by the
applicant is defined by the appended claims.
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